van Basten’s Young Guns

I was considering van Basten’s comments a while back about how he was looking forward to Euro 2008 and not specifically this year’s world cup. I thought we would have a look at the players named in the squad and see where they’ll be come 2008 and 2010.

Goalkeeper: Average age = 33.5
Patrick Lodewijks -39, Edwin van der Sar -36,
Maarten Stekelenburg -24, Henk Timmer -35

Defenders: Average age = 26.8
Khalid Boulahrouz -25, Wilfred Bouma -28,
Giovanni van Bronckhorst -31, Tim de Cler -28,
Urby Emanuelson -20, Kew Jaliens -28,
Jan Kromkamp -26 , Joris Mathijsen -26,
Andre Ooijer -32 , Barry Opdam -30,
Ron Vlaar -21

Midfielders: Average age = 27.4
George Boateng -31, Phillip Cocu -36,
Edgar Davids -33,
Nigel De Jong -22, Denny Landzaat , -30,
Hedwiges Maduro -21, Wesley Sneijder -22,
Rafael van der Vaart -23 , Mark van Bommel -29

Forwards: Average age = 25
Ryan Babel -20, Romeo Castelen -23,
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar -23, Dirk Kuyt -26,
Martijn Meerdink -30, Ruud van Nistelrooy -30,
Robin van Persie -23, Arjen Robben -22,
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink -28

All those averages work out to a squad average age of just over 28. I’m surprised actually. I thought it would have been lower. This gives me even more confidence, particularly in defense. By the time Euro 2008 rolls around new keepers will be needed along with replacements for Cocu, Davids and van Nistelrooy (probably).